Arsenal vs Manchester City – will Rodri play in Crunch Premier League Clash? Guardiola reveals

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said that Ballon d’Or Winner Rodri doubts Sunday to Arsenal’s trip because of fitness problems in what is certainly a blockbuster collision.

City will arrive in Northern London on a Gulf of Momentum after Back-to-Back victories on Manchester United and Napoli, but Rodri came across the last in the Champions League match after an hour, which was concerned about his fitness.

Guardiola said that the midfielder of Spain will be assessed prior to Sunday’s game when asked if he would play.

«I don’t know yet, but he was so smart (to request a replacement against Napoli on Thursday). We will see it daily,» Guardiola added.

«In the training (on Wednesday) he did not feel comfortable, but said:» No, no, it will be fine, and he played extraordinary. But of course he comes from a tough, tough injury; He must be alert, and we will decide on Sunday how he feels. «

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The 29-year-old Spaniard spent the majority of last season offside after tearing his front cruciate ligament and then suffered a groin injury at the Club World Cup.

While City and Arsenal are potential title candidates, Guardiola warned that it is too early in the campaign for Sunday’s game to give instructions.

«Listen, it’s the fifth game of the season, come on,» he said. «(Former manager of Manchester United) Alex Ferguson said in the Premier League that you should stay close to the top four after Boxing Day,» he added. “Then you can think about it.

«In the six most important competitions (titles Guardiola won in City), I think we were four or five, we were in December, January, behind Liverpool and behind Arsenal and at the end we won it.»

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While City seems to be rediscovering his rhythm after it was rattled by early defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton, Guardiola said that Arsenal will be a huge challenge on Sunday.

«Mikel (Arteta) is an extraordinary manager and they have raised the team for these (last) four, five transfer penters,» he said. «So it’s an incredible team. It is one of the most difficult opponents you can now find in Europe.»

The Spaniard said that his greatest care was to improve third place of last season.

«To grow up the team, only my care at the moment to see the team take a step forward every day,» he said. “We’re not going to win the Premier League on Sunday. We are not going to lose the Premier League on Sunday.

Published on September 19, 2025